Latest news with #MahaMetro
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro records 10cr riders since its launch in 2019
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Metro has crossed a cumulative ridership of 10 crore, according to figures released by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro). The system, which began commercial operations in March 2019, has seen consistent growth in passenger numbers over six years. The corporation attributes the rise in usage to the full rollout of Phase-I, completed in December 2022, and to specific policies targeting students. As per official data, students now comprise 20% of total riders. Incentives include a 30% fare discount on the Maha Card for students up to the graduation level and a Rs100 daily unlimited travel pass. The annual ridership rose from 55,000 in 2018–19 to 9 lakh in 2019–20, followed by 19 lakh in 2020–21 during the pandemic. The numbers increased to 67 lakh in 2021–22 and more than doubled to 2.43 crore in 2022–23. In 2023–24, ridership reached 2.55 crore, and in the current year, 92 lakh trips were recorded as of 15 July 2025. Maha Metro projects 3.16 crore riders by the end of the 2024–25 fiscal year. Nagpur Metro saw its highest recorded daily ridership on January 1, 2023, with 2.2 lakh passengers using the system. The Metro system includes infrastructure designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities, including ramps, elevators, tactile guidance paths, and reserved seating. MahaMetro also said the network has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions by encouraging commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport. However, specific data on environmental impact has not been made public in this release. The 10 crore figure includes all cumulative entries since 2019 and reflects growing dependence on the Metro for daily commuting in Nagpur. The system currently operates two corridors covering 38.2 km. Officials say Phase-II planning is underway with December 2027 as the tentative completion date.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro to shift to open-loop NCMC cards for seamless travel, invest ₹154.3 Cr
Nagpur: Nagpur: MahaMetro is set to transition from its current closed-loop Maha Cards to a ₹154.3 crore open-loop Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system. The move is aimed at enhancing commuter convenience and aligning with the national "One Nation, One Card" initiative. At present, Nagpur Metro commuters use closed-loop Maha Cards, which are valid only within the city's metro network. However, with the upcoming Phase 2 of the project, MahaMetro plans to introduce the RuPay-powered National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), following its successful launch on Mumbai Metro's Line 3 last month. The new system will enable seamless travel across metros, buses, and other public transport systems throughout India. Commuters will be able to tap in and out not just in Nagpur, but in any city that supports the NCMC ecosystem, offering a more flexible and user-friendly experience. MahaMetro has issued a tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the new open-loop AFC system. The project also includes QR code-based ticketing and a long-term Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC). Nagpur Metro currently has over 1.10 lakh Maha Card users, with at least two new cards being issued daily on average at metro stations. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Antivirus Protection May Be Expired - Renew now McAfee Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Cardholders enjoy fare concessions—students receive a 30% discount, while regular passengers get 10% off. Importantly, officials have confirmed that the existing AFC gates installed during Phase 1 will not need to be replaced. "Only a software upgrade is required to accommodate the open-loop NCMC system," a senior MahaMetro official said, ensuring that infrastructure costs remain minimal. "In Nagpur Metro's earlier phase, we had tied up with banks and developed our own card system. Now, we will transition to NCMC cards. The exact number of machines and infrastructure required is yet to be assessed, as it will depend on ridership and other operational factors," said Anilkumar Kokate, director (operations and maintenance), MahaMetro. The existing SBI-Nagpur Metro Maha Card, developed in partnership with the State Bank of India and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), is a dual-interface contactless prepaid card that supports stored-value transactions. The ₹154.30 crore investment is aimed at modernizing fare collection and improving interoperability across public transport systems. Launched in March 2019 by the Union govt, the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is part of the "One Nation, One Card" initiative. Developed by the ministry of housing and urban affairs and powered by RuPay, the NCMC allows users to pay for travel across metro, bus, and suburban rail networks, as well as at toll plazas, retail stores, and ATMs—provided the systems are upgraded to support open-loop infrastructure.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nitin Gadkari clears ₹crore infra projects for highway expansion and metro development, ET Infra
Advt Advt The Jabalpur-Nagpur National Highway running through Kamptee will finally be widened to 18 metres, marking a major step toward easing persistent traffic congestion in this densely populated suburb. The decision came after a high-level infrastructure review meeting chaired by Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin decades, the narrow 7-metre-wide stretch was a traffic nightmare due to heavy on century-old records from the 1912-13 land survey, Gadkari instructed the district administration, Kamptee Municipal Council , and MahaMetro to carry out a coordinated encroachment clearance drive along the 18-metre demarcation line."This is not just about easing congestion — it's about ensuring Kamptee has the kind of modern infrastructure it deserves. The widening will open up future development while restoring the town's planned alignment," officials quoted Gadkari as a parallel push for economic revitalisation, Gadkari also approved a proposal for a sprawling commercial complex on Nazul land near the proposed Kamptee Metro station . The site — located near the tehsil office, bus stand, and municipal council — is expected to house shops, offices, and transport-related infrastructure."The commercial complex project will resolve multiple issues at once — traffic, business congestion, and lack of civic space," said a senior official from his response to long-standing demands from revenue minister and district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Centre also cleared several road upgradation projects . These include National Highway status for the Khairangna-Kondhali-Katol-Sawargaon-Badchicholi corridor, along with central funding for the Mauda-Mathani-Chapegadi-Kuhi state highway. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new highway link from Karanja in Washim district to the Madhya Pradesh border via Narkhed was also also supported the redevelopment of Neelam Lawn and Shukravari Bazaar into a mixed-use civic and commercial space, with 30 per cent earmarked for rehabilitating affected vendors and 70 per cent for a mall, food court, and other facilities. A new Metro station near Dragon Palace in Kamptee is also on the cards, aimed at improving last-mile connectivity in the growing review meeting was attended by MLAs Krishna Khopde, Pravin Datke, Charansingh Thakur, NMC commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari, collector Vipin Itankar, NIT chairman Sanjay Meena, and PWD chief engineer Dinesh Nandanwar.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Metro's Solar Dream Set to Take Off as MERC Orders MSEDCL to Clear Hurdles
1 2 Nagpur: After being stuck in limbo for over a year, Nagpur Metro's ambitious solar energy expansion is finally gaining momentum. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has directed Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) to update its outdated application system, which was capping net metering approvals at 1MW, despite new regulations allowing up to 5MW. The order is expected to clear the path for commissioning long-idle solar panels and restarting stalled installations across the Metro network. At the centre of the delay is 1.5MW solar capacity installed at Mihan and Hingna depots. The panels, installed over a year ago, remained idle due to Metro's inability to apply for net metering beyond 1MW. This resulted in MahaMetro being forced to rely on costlier grid electricity, incurring monthly losses of Rs12 lakh — amounting to more than Rs1.4 crore annually. During a hearing on July 9, MERC took note of MahaMetro's petition and ordered MSEDCL to operationalise a compliant web-based portal within a month. It also asked the power utility to file its reply within 15 days. With this directive, Metro officials say they are finally in a position to move forward. But the delay did more than just sideline 1.5MW worth of solar power — it effectively froze Metro's entire solar rollout. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sources within MahaMetro revealed that once the depot panels were left unused, the agency decided to halt all further solar installations to avoid wasting additional infrastructure. Currently, only Reach 1 (Sitabuldi to Khapri) and Reach 3 (Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar) have solar panels installed across all stations. Reach 2 (Sitabuldi to Automotive Square) has no panels at any station. On Reach 4 (Sitabuldi to Prajapati Nagar), only three stations — Vaishnodevi Square, Dr Ambedkar Square, and Telephone Exchange Square — have solar installations. "We couldn't justify spending more money on solar panels that would just lie there unused like the ones at the depots," said a senior MahaMetro official. "But now, with MERC's directive, we're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We plan to resume installations across the remaining stations immediately." The Metro set a target of meeting 50% of its power needs through solar, but due to the regulatory deadlock, it only reached around 15%. With the bottleneck removed, officials believe they can move quickly to bridge the gap. The full rollout is expected to bring monthly energy savings of up to Rs45 lakh in the beginning and more in the future, significantly easing the project's operational costs. A senior MSEDCL official said they will comply with MERC's directives and follow them to the letter. "However, we will also need to assess the implementation from our end to ensure it aligns across all operational segments. If any issues arise, we will raise them with MERC for further clarification," the official added. With clear instructions now issued and a timeline in place, Metro's long-postponed solar ambitions may finally become a reality — delivering financial relief and a boost to Nagpur's green energy credentials.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Groundwork of Swargate-Katraj underground Metro line yet to begin nearly one year after approval
1 2 3 Pune: Actual groundwork on the 5.5-km-long Swargate-Katraj Metro line has remained a non-starter almost a year after it was approved in Aug 2024. The addition of two stations on the stretch as an afterthought necessitated re-tendering for the entire project. The plan was initially sanctioned with three stations. Later, two more Metro stations were included at Balajinagar and Market Yard, taking the total to five stations on the route. Updating TOI about the most recent status of the line, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) officials said they are in the process of finishing the re-tendering work and appointing agencies to execute the project in the next two months. However, work is likely to begin only after the monsoon in Oct 2025. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The Swargate-Katraj Metro line is an extension of the PCMC-Swargate corridor, which has been functional since last year. Once completed, it will connect Pune's southern end to Pimpri Chinchwad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Swargate-Katraj stretch in Sept 2024. Since then, authorities have just been engaged in completing formalities required to start actual work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo Commuters have long been awaiting the beginning of this line. Many Metro users from Satara Road in particular are hoping for the Katraj extension to become functional at the earliest. "We are looking ahead to the Metro run getting extended till Katraj, but work has not even started yet. There should be some timeline followed by authorities," said Ashok Marathe, a resident of the Padmavati area. As per the plan, the work is expected to be completed in four years after it starts. Opposition parties claimed that state govt is planning the launch of this pending groundwork with an eye on the upcoming civic polls. A Congress functionary from the Pune unit pointed out that although the project's foundation was laid "hurriedly" at the hands of the PM, work has failed to take off for a year. "Civic polls are around the corner; state govt will attempt to push ahead with the project in the next couple of months," he claimed. The addition of three stations has also escalated the project cost to Rs3,637.6 crore from Rs2,954.5 crore — an increase of Rs683 crore. The cost of this additional expense is expected to be shared by the Centre, state, and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Maha Metro officials said details of the finances were being worked out, including the share of govt and assistance from financial institutions. A functionary from Shiv Sena (UBT) said that the BJP-led govt has failed to push ahead with several major projects in Pune, including Metro extensions. "People are struggling to deal with increasing traffic in the city, but govt has ignored these issues. Why can't projects like the Metro be expedited to avoid delays?" he said. Pune: Actual groundwork on the 5.5-km-long Swargate-Katraj Metro line has remained a non-starter almost a year after it was approved in Aug 2024. The addition of two stations on the stretch as an afterthought necessitated re-tendering for the entire project. The plan was initially sanctioned with three stations. Later, two more Metro stations were included at Balajinagar and Market Yard, taking the total to five stations on the route. Updating TOI about the most recent status of the line, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) officials said they are in the process of finishing the re-tendering work and appointing agencies to execute the project in the next two months. However, work is likely to begin only after the monsoon in Oct 2025. The Swargate-Katraj Metro line is an extension of the PCMC-Swargate corridor, which has been functional since last year. Once completed, it will connect Pune's southern end to Pimpri Chinchwad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Swargate-Katraj stretch in Sept 2024. Since then, authorities have just been engaged in completing formalities required to start actual work. Commuters have long been awaiting the beginning of this line. Many Metro users from Satara Road in particular are hoping for the Katraj extension to become functional at the earliest. "We are looking ahead to the Metro run getting extended till Katraj, but work has not even started yet. There should be some timeline followed by authorities," said Ashok Marathe, a resident of the Padmavati area. As per the plan, the work is expected to be completed in four years after it starts. Opposition parties claimed that state govt is planning the launch of this pending groundwork with an eye on the upcoming civic polls. A Congress functionary from the Pune unit pointed out that although the project's foundation was laid "hurriedly" at the hands of the PM, work has failed to take off for a year. "Civic polls are around the corner; state govt will attempt to push ahead with the project in the next couple of months," he claimed. The addition of three stations has also escalated the project cost to Rs3,637.6 crore from Rs2,954.5 crore — an increase of Rs683 crore. The cost of this additional expense is expected to be shared by the Centre, state, and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Maha Metro officials said details of the finances were being worked out, including the share of govt and assistance from financial institutions. A functionary from Shiv Sena (UBT) said that the BJP-led govt has failed to push ahead with several major projects in Pune, including Metro extensions. "People are struggling to deal with increasing traffic in the city, but govt has ignored these issues. Why can't projects like the Metro be expedited to avoid delays?" he said.
